Many tourists visit Kilkenny for heritage. Unfortunately the Central Access Scheme is destroying Kilkenny heritage by damaging the medieval road and buildings at Vicar Street. Tourists do...
Goal 3: Enhance the Visitor Experience
Dúnta10 Mei, 2015, 1:00am - 2 Iúil, 2015, 1:00am
Engaging with Economic Action Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, this comprehensive goal builds on a key infrastructural strength of the Co. Kilkenny and Kilkenny City. It considers both the tourist market and the business visitor (conference offerings).
Indicative Scope
- Through support, co-ordination and optimisation, build upon the existing festivals, events and activities across the City and County;
- Encourage improvement in tourism infrastructure, accommodation offerings and restaurants;
- Develop appropriate and innovative Transport Modes to broaden the spatial impact of visitors;
- Using LA power, develop interventions to increase the attractiveness of Towns, Villages and the Natural Environment;
- Develop consolidated and cross-linked branding and sectoral offerings;
- Develop mechanisms for cost-effective Cluster Marketing and Thematic Marketing, particularly through alignment with national initiatives; and
- Encourage the development of sympathetic niche tourism offerings that are unique to Co. Kilkenny.
Background Profile
Tourism is currently a major revenue generator for the economy of Co. Kilkenny, accounting for approximately €60 million. Kilkenny City is a thriving tourist base, accommodating over 200,000 domestic and 204,000 overseas tourists in 2013.
Table 1 – Overseas Visitors by County 2013
|
|
Britain |
Mainland Europe |
North America |
Other Areas |
Total |
|
Wexford |
22,000 |
119,000 |
65,000 |
22,000 |
229,000 |
|
Waterford |
24,000 |
79,000 |
61,000 |
61,000 |
225,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
18,000 |
42,000 |
75,000 |
72,000 |
207,000 |
|
Tipperary (South) |
9,000 |
55,000 |
32,000 |
21,000 |
117,000 |
|
Carlow |
2,000 |
39,000 |
17,000 |
9,000 |
68,000 |
Source: Regional Tourism Performance in 2013
Bed-nights spent in the region by overseas holiday visitors, excluding British, have shown a trend of steady increase, however British holiday bed-nights have been falling by an average of 5 percent per annum. Most noticeable has been the decline in car-touring visitors arriving via Rosslare. Overall the South East attracts about a 10% share of holiday bed-nights spent by overseas visitors in the country outside of Dublin.’
Kilkenny is Ireland’s second most popular domestic short break destination and supported a significant number of festivals and events.
Table 2 – Overseas Visitor Revenue by County 2013
|
|
Britain €m |
Mainland Europe €m |
North America €m |
Other Areas €m |
Total €m |
|
Wexford |
38 |
16 |
4 |
2 |
60 |
|
Waterford |
24 |
12 |
9 |
5 |
49 |
|
Tipperary (South) |
17 |
11 |
5 |
1 |
34 |
|
Carlow |
10 |
14 |
4 |
2 |
30 |
|
Kilkenny |
11 |
9 |
9 |
2 |
30 |
Source: Regional Tourism Performance in 2013
Table 3 – South-East Region Fee Paying Attraction Performance 2009-13
|
Attraction |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Kilkenny Castle |
174,164 |
192,777 |
206,277 |
238,244 |
241,302 |
|
Nicholas Mosse Pottery |
100,000 |
95,000 |
92,000 |
105,000 |
115,000 |
|
Castlecomer Discovery Park |
20,357 |
31,500 |
42,400 |
62,500 |
69,700 |
|
Dunmore Cave |
28,173 |
25,939 |
30,024 |
34,258 |
36,271 |
|
Woodstock Estate and Arboretum |
37,000 |
39,000 |
37,500 |
36,750 |
35,800 |
|
Reptile Village Conservation Zoo |
12,000 |
14,000 |
16,000 |
18,000 |
25,000 |
|
Jerpoint Abbey |
23,885 |
20,555 |
21,534 |
20,032 |
22,097 |
|
Rothe House and Garden |
14,176 |
13,762 |
14,125 |
13,665 |
12,285 |
|
St Mary’s Church |
2,592 |
2,544 |
2,987 |
3,165 |
2,034 |
Source: Fáilte Ireland - Visitors to Tourist Attractions 2009-2013
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